Khaleda ZiaThree-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ...
and her two sons must return the people's money they "siphoned off, including the money they took from orphans".
She vowed to bring Khaleda, the BNP chairperson, and her two sons, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, to book on corruption charges they are currently facing. Khaleda and Tarique are also accused in the Zia Orphanage scam case.
"You [Khaleda] have misappropriated the money of the Zia Orphanage Trust and your two sons siphoned off hundreds of crores of taka of people's money when you were in power. You have whitened the black money," Hasina accused her political archrival.
"Their trial will definitely be held," she said, addressing a huge rally at Nilphamari Govt High School ground.
Hasina, who was the chief guest at the meeting, made the remark responding to Khaleda Zia's recent statement in a rally in Sylhet where Khaleda said they would construct Padma Bridge free of corruption if voted to power.
Hasina said the opposition leader flanked by war criminals has now been forging movements to save the war criminals and her two corrupt sons.
The prime minister said the rightful share of Teesta water will be realised from India. "Discussion is going on Teesta water sharing. Insha Allah, we will be able to realise the rightful share of Teesta water from India like the Ganga water sharing deal."
Nilphamari district Awami League organised the rally which thousands joined. Party leaders, workers, and supporters of the party from different upazilas and adjacent districts started pouring in since noon to join the meeting considered a counter programme to the opposition's anti-government agitations.
Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, acting General Secretary of Awami League Mahbubul Alam Hanif, politicians Asaduzzaman Noor and Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury also spoke at the rally chaired by district Awami League president Dewan Kamal Ahmed.
Hinting the abolishment of the caretaker system, Hasina said the constitution has been amended to protect the people's democratic right of franchise.
Hasina said Khaleda questioned her religion after she visited the Dhakeswari temple during the Durga Puja festivities. Hasina said she prays five times a day and unlike Khaleda's, her day starts with Fazr prayers in the morning and not around noon.
Referring to last BNP-Jamaat coalition rule, the prime minister said that Ziaur Rahman only left a broken suitcase and a torn T-shirt for his family. But that broken suitcase has become a magic box and Khaleda Zia amassed crores and is now living a luxurious life.
Hasina said the present government has rooted out terrorism from the country. She claimed that when people live in peace the opposition leader feels uncomfortable.